Two virtues of science
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Authors
Journal Title
Spontaneous Generations : Journal for the History and Philosophy of Science
ISSN
1913-0465
Publisher
University of Toronto
Type
Article
This Version
AM
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John, S. Two virtues of science. Spontaneous Generations : Journal for the History and Philosophy of Science https://doi.org/10.4245/spongen.v10i1.38199
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was disagreement over whether the science supported facemask mandates. This paper interrogates debates over this question, paying particular attention to an ambiguity between two scientific virtues: epistemic caution and epistemic responsiveness. I suggest that there is an argument from each virtue to reasons to trust scientists’ claims in policy debate. However, as the case of facemask debates illustrates, it is not clear that scientists can possess both virtues simultaneously: the two virtues are in tension. After showing how this general framework can help us better understand debate, I turn to consider some possible ways of resolving this tension, arguing that none of them is entirely satisfactory.
Embargo Lift Date
2100-01-01
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.4245/spongen.v10i1.38199
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/336525
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